AN air ambulance charity has launched its biggest ever appeal to mark twenty years of saving lives in the region.
As the Great North Air Ambulance Service (GNAAS) approaches its landmark birthday, the charity has revealed that the past year has been its busiest ever.
During 2021, the charity responded to 1,620 call-outs across the North East, North Yorkshire and Cumbria, up from 1,262 in 2020.
In May, GNAAS will celebrate its 20th anniversary. Mr Stockton said the charity has responded to 23,500 incidents since its formation in 2002.
One of those patients, Gracie Bartleson who was airlifted from an accident in the North East, has backed the charity’s campaign.
Gracie, eight, was airlifted from Hartlepool last year after impaling her arm on metal railings.
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Recalling what happened, Gracie’s mother Carly Snowball, 38, said: “We’d just had fish and chips and it was a hot day so we decided to head outside onto the patio area.
“I’d only just turned my back to get some ice lollies when Gracie leant over the metal railings to pick up a dropped lip gloss. Her foot slipped and her arm fell onto the railings, which impaled her.
“Luckily the neighbour managed to summon help from a paramedic who was nearby, and I rang for the emergency services. As a mother to face that situation, it was horrendous.”
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Cleveland Fire Brigade cut off the top of the railing to release Gracie and her injury was assessed and treated by the North East Ambulance Service and Great North Air Ambulance Service (GNAAS).
Ms Snowball said: “I didn’t even hear the helicopter when it arrived. I think I was just in shock and the adrenaline of looking after Gracie and holding her arm up so it didn’t slip further down the railings.
“I just remember GNAAS doctor Mike keeping me calm and letting me know she wouldn’t remember anything with a calming voice.”
After the ambulance crew administered pain relief, Gracie was carried to GNAAS’ aircraft and she was airlifted with her mother to James Cook University Hospital in Middlesbrough.
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Ms Snowball said: “It was peak traffic so it probably would have taken half an hour up to an hour by road. It only took five minutes to fly her to hospital.”
Gracie underwent surgery on her arm and stayed in hospital for two nights before returning home.
Ms Snowball said: “I was worried because it was close to the main artery. She could have lost her arm or bled out, but she was so lucky.”
Since the incident Ms Snowball has raised £500 through JustGiving, organised clothing collections and plans to carry out further fundraising to support GNAAS.
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Gracie was reunited with Dr Mike at GNAAS’ base in Eaglescliffe and was lucky enough to see the helicopter in flight before sitting in the pilot’s seat.
Ms Snowball said: “We are so grateful to everyone who helped us and we’re just so thankful to meet Mike and show our appreciation. It was a great visit and we can’t thank him enough.”
Dr Mike added: “It was lovely to meet Gracie and her family and see her looking so well.
She was incredibly brave that day and it’s great to see her in much better circumstances with a smile on her face.”
GNAAS is asking the public to help it meet the rising costs of providing year-round emergency care in the face of the increased demand on its services through its Fund Our Future campaign.
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David Stockton, the charity’s chief executive, said: “At a time when our service is reaching more people than ever before, and making the most impact to our patients, we are under the most pressure due to rising costs.
“It will hardly be surprising to hear, but running helicopters isn’t cheap. It cost £6.7m last year alone. It’s an eye-watering amount. That’s why we are asking the public to Fund Our Future, local lives depend on it.”
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Mr Stockton urged the public not to take the service for granted.
He added: “We have the team and we have the aircraft. Our needs are basic but vital, we need fuel to put in the tank, we need to keep the fleet maintained and ready to go, and we need to keep our kit bags stocked in preparation for whatever comes our way.
“These costs amount to millions of pounds, so we need all the help we can get.”
To donate, visit gna.as/ourfuture
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